The Kenya National Union of Teachers has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Teachers Service Commission, demanding a counteroffer in the ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations, as pressure mounts over the delay in renewing the now-expired 2021–2025 CBA.

Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, KNUT Secretary-General Collins Oyuu criticised the commission’s silence, warning that teachers across the country are growing increasingly frustrated with the stalled process.

He said the union had concluded consultations with key government agencies in readiness for negotiations and now expects the employer to respond without further delay.

“We have told the Teachers Service Commission to prepare within seven days and present a counter-offer,” said Oyuu.

He emphasised that the union had done its part and was no longer interested in TSC’s internal processes or excuses for the delay.

“We had high-level negotiations with different arms of government to come up with a fully prepared counter-offer. What we want is a counter-offer. Your preparation is not our concern,” he added.

Oyuu said the delay had demoralised teachers, who were counting on a timely review of their terms of service now that the previous CBA cycle ended on June 30, 2025.

“Teachers of this country are disappointed. Kenya National Union of Teachers did not expect this. What we expected was a counter-offer,” he stated.

He further underlined the urgency of finalising the new agreement, saying KNUT would not accept any further delays from the employer.

“Time is of the essence. The 2021–2025 CBA expired on June 30. Today is July 1, and there is no counteroffer yet. We shall not accept anything until the Teachers Service Commission places a counter-offer on the table for negotiation.”

Among the key proposals under the 2025–2029 CBA is a 60 per cent annual wage increment on the basic salary.

KNUT is also pushing for a 30 per cent rise in allowances across all job grades and improvements to the current medical cover.

The union also wants hardship allowances revised upward and has called for consultations with the TSC regarding the review of hardship areas.

It opposes the removal of any region from the hardship classification and is instead advocating for an expanded list.

KNUT now awaits a formal response from the Teachers Service Commission within the seven-day deadline, failure to which the matter could escalate